Cardiology consultants of rockland, p

BERGEN HEART CENTER
NUCLEAR STRESS TEST
Your physician has ordered Nuclear Stress Test either with walking on a treadmill or with a medicine like persantine. The purpose of this test is to evaluate the blood supply to the heart muscle. We hope the following information will help you to prepare for the test. WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING THE TEST?
On the day of your test, an IV will be started in your arm. You will receive a dose of a radioisotope through your IV and, after waiting for about 30-45 minutes, you will have a Nuclear Medicine scan. After your scan, you will be taken to the stress lab, electrodes will be placed on your chest to record an electrocardiogram (ECG), and a blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm to monitor your blood pressure. If you are walking on the treadmill, the treadmill will start slowly at first, and then the speed and incline will gradually increase. Your ECG and blood pressure will be monitored throughout the test. When you reach your target heart rate, you will receive another injection of radioisotope. You will be monitored until your heart rate returns to baseline, and you will have a second Nuclear Medicine scan. If you are unable to walk on a treadmill, you will be given a medication that dilates the arteries in your heart, increasing the blood flow. The medication is infused through your IV for four minutes. During this infusion, you will receive another injection of radioisotope. Your ECG and blood pressure will be monitored throughout the test. You will have a second Nuclear Medicine scan a short time after your stress test is completed. The test takes approximately 4 hrs to complete. The results will be discussed by your cardiologist at your next appointment within a few days. HOW SHOULD YOU PREPARE?
Don’t eat or drink on the day of the procedure. No coffee or tea of any kind. No colas or soft drinks. No chocolate (candy, cakes, pies, cocoa, white chocolate, etc.). Do not take any medication on the day of the test. No Anacin, Excedrin, or other aspirin products containing caffeine on the day of the test. Bring your medications with you in their original containers. If you are taking Aggrenox, stop this medicine 12 hours before the exam. Wear a comfortable two-piece outfit. Avoid wearing dresses, under-wire bras, jumpsuits, or clothing with metallic buttons. Bring a high-fat snack, to eat after the stress portion of the exam. Allow at least 4 hours to complete exam. The radioisotopes for this exam are a special order. Please call us 48 hours before, if you are unable to keep your appointment or there will be a charge of $ 100 for the radioisotope. Female Patients: If you are PREGNANT, think you may be
PREGNANT or BREAST FEEDING, please inform the doctor and the
technologist before the test.
10. Radiation and security checkpoints – if you are travelling by air within 24 hours of the test, please get a letter for law enforcement officials from our office. For further information please see the link http://asnc.org/imageuploads/PatientInformationSheet-RadiationSafety.pdf

Source: http://www.gotoheartdoc.com/bhc/webdocs/nuclear_prep_bhc.pdf